It’s that time of year again! On February 24th, the 91st Academy Awards will celebrate the hard work and talent behind your favorite movies of the past year. There have been several weeks of awards that lead up to this grand ceremony, and this award season has been interesting given the shake-ups at past ceremonies and the lack of frontrunners. But no need to fear! Keep reading to see nominees from the major categories and the predicted winners.
Best Animated Feature Film
Nominees:
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“Incredibles 2”
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“Isle of Dogs”
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“Mirai”
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“Ralph Breaks the Internet”
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“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”
Prediction: “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse”
This striking animated feature has been winning awards for animation since the Golden Globes, and our prediction is that this film will go all the way to take the Oscar too! Spider-Verse is a nice break from a category that typically sees a Disney/Pixar film win. The film has garnered acclaim for both their dynamic use of 2D and 3D animation work, but also for their diverse characters.
Best Original Song
Nominees:
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“All the Stars,” “Black Panther”
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“I’ll Fight,” “RBG”
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“The Place Where Lost Things Go,” “Mary Poppins Returns”
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“Shallow,” “A Star Is Born”
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“When a Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings,” “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”
Prediction: “Shallow”
After garnering plenty of Oscar buzz upon its release, “A Star is Born” has not been performing well this award season. While the movie, and leads Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper have been shut out of their respective categories, there is no denying the great success behind the film’s shining star, “Shallow.” Not only is it nominated for an Oscar, but also four Grammy awards. Another contender for the award could be “Black Panther’s” “All the Stars.” This Kendrick Lamar and SZA track has been successful as a radio single as well, and has the same amount of Grammy nominations as “Shallow.” But, “Shallow” is a safe choice considering it won in January at the Golden Globes.
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
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Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
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Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”
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Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”
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Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
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Sam Rockwell, “Vice”
Prediction: “Mahershala Ali”
Ali has been a constant this award season. From the Globes to the SAGs, he has always won his category. While “Green Book” has recently come under fire due to its creative team’s past, Ali has stayed out of the controversy and has done his own successful campaign for his second Oscar. Grant and Elliot could be the surprise winners this year, though. Both have had long careers in Hollywood, but are first time nominees this year! The Academy could use this opportunity to honor their dedication to the film industry.
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
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Amy Adams, “Vice”
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Marina de Tavira, “Roma”
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Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
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Emma Stone, “The Favourite”
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Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”
Prediction: Regina King
Like her Best Supporting Actor counterpart, King has had a solid award season campaign, even though she did not receive a SAG nomination for her role. King’s character is a supportive, passionate mother who is helping her daughter’s fiance’s release from prison, and was praised since the release of “If Beale Street Could Talk”. But Amy Adams as Lynne Cheney serves as a strong second choice if the Academy does not wish to follow their award predecessors.
Best Actress
Nominees:
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Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”
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Glenn Close, “The Wife”
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Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”
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Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”
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Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Prediction: Glenn Close
Sorry internet! The Oscar is Glenn Close’s not Gaga’s. Close’s career has spanned forty years, which has included seven Academy Award nominations, but not a single win. Sure, Gaga and “A Star is Born” has made the rounds on the internet with many praising her performance and making her a meme, and the film was a box office smash compared to “The Wife’s” limited release. But, Close’s performance is quiet and has the power to resonate with many voters. After all, the Academy does owe Close after snubbing her for “Fatal Attraction”. Better luck next time, Gaga!
Best Actor
Nominees:
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Christian Bale, “Vice”
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Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”
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Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”
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Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
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Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”
Prediction: Rami Malek
This is the category to watch! Ever since the Globes, the pendulum that is Best Actor has been swinging back and forth between two exceptional actors: Christian Bale and Rami Malek. (Sorry B-Coop) Both won in their respective categories at the Globes, but Bale would take the Critic’s Choice, and Malek took the SAG home. “Bohemian Rhapsody” has run into some controversy regarding credited director Bryan Singer’s sexual abuse allegations, but many voters and members of Hollywood have praised Malek and the film’s cast for handling the situation with grace. Nevertheless, Malek’s performance as Freddie Mercury is nothing short of spectacular and certainly deserves the highest of acting honors.
Best Picture
Nominees:
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“Black Panther”
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“BlacKkKlansman”
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“Bohemian Rhapsody”
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“The Favourite”
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“Green Book”
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“Roma”
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“A Star Is Born”
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“Vice”
Prediction: “Roma”
In another category with a swinging pendulum, Best Picture is a big “what if?” “Roma,” though, seems to be a strong contender. The film by Alfonso Cuaron is a black and white masterpiece that shares a personal story from Cuaron’s life. But, “The Favourite,” a witty take on traditional period dramas, is also a strong competitor. Do not rule out “Black Panther” either! With the Academy looking for ways to entice a younger demographic and wanting to honor “popular films,” they may hand this award to the popular Marvel film. One could even still consider “A Star is Born”. Even though the film has not received much love this season, the Academy does have an affinity for films about the entertainment industry. It seems as if Best Picture is anyone’s game.